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http://tomatousb.org/forum/t-295457#post-9633593 node RT-N16 WDS Network advicehttp://tomatousb.org/forum/t-295457/3-node-rt-n16-wds-network-advice#post-963359
Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:42:06 +0000bottsjw
Looking for advice on how best to optimize the settings as well as antenna options for the following objective: Bridge three RT-N16 units using WDS for local wi-fi and bridged Internet access. We're not looking for speeds any better than those needed to surf and check email. We'll have less than two or three users on wifi EVER at any given time. Issues… Site 1, Internet gateway, is approximately 380 feet from the second unit. I'd prefer to "focus" this unit on bridging between this site and the second. Local wireless is nice to have but can be compromised for the sake of the bridge to the second site. Considering a options between a single outdoor antenna (suggestions?) vs. placing indoors at a window using all three native antenna vs. placing in a covered area with antennas exposed. Concern with the later is operating in hot summers/cold winters/moisture. (FYI, initial tests showed peaks of 84/56 TX/RX so we know the signal can get there. Yes, there's foliage in the summer between these locations but the signal wasn't completely lost when we last tested it.) Second unit is approximately 300 feet from the third. Again, we were able to get a bridged signal between these two locations. Other factors to consider…. We have different elevation options. Is higher better or better to keep them at the same height? Can we dedicate antennas to TX/RX and leave one for local Wifi? Should we run one antenna outdoors for the bridge? If so, what dBi? Is it better to have all three the same? Anyone else running a RT-N16 "outdoors"? Any experience with operating specs at extremes? I couldn't find any docs from Asus. Other thoughts or considerations?
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